The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-06
AGAIN, THAT BRIDGE.
A SECOND COMPANY ORGANIZED TO
SPAN THE MISSISSIPPI.
Directors of the Kansas City g. Men,
phis Railway and Bridge Company
sfeet and Elect oflcers-President
q. H. Nettleton Interviewed.

about to give place To genuine plum.
For years worms have been gnawing into
the meat of the former fruit, until the pub
lies delicate palate refused TO stand under
the nauseating taste. 10 provoke a smile
Of whitening incrcdulity il WAS only neces-
sary to repeat the words: mississippi
river bridge" The enterprise became a
standing joke among wicked newspapers
In this section Of country aud tho subject
of many ironical comments from editorial
writers in the journals OF rival cities. He
laughs best who laughs last, however, and
the demands OF the hour are too urgent TO
tolerate further delay. There are entirely
TOO many important interests west OF the
mississippi clamoring for entrance into
Memphis, and uncertain steam boat trans
fer will not fill the bill.
Two weeks ago Col. Van Bcnthuysen,
representing a monster bridge company,
came here TO revive the dropping interest.
His company proposed to build and oper-
ate the bridge under what is known rs the
Ford charter. The documents were care
fully examined by various legal gentle
men, whose verdict yet remains mystery.
An impression prevails, however, that a
fatal defect exists, and in order TO secure
the structure from that source "A new
charter will have to he received from Con-
gress. Whether or not this il n fact can
not be definitely stated, but IL is known
that the company represented by Mr.. Ben
thuyscn is well able to push the enterprise
through TO speedy completion.
About the same time it was announced
that another Richmond was in the field,
ready and able to build the bridge, lack
ing only the congressional privilege. This
was the Kansas City & Memphis railway
and bridge company, headed by Gen.
George II. Ncttlcton, president of the
Kansas City, Memphis d Birmingham
railroad company. From the character Of
the gentlemen, financially and otherwise,
IL was universally acknowledged that
somebody would have to hustle and
the bridge would soon materialize.
And this opinion was not un-
founded, not by a large majority.
Just what Gen. Netlleton and his associ-
ates have been doing in the interval be-
tween their previous announcement and
last Friday is unknown. IL is safe TO
state, though, no grass has grown under
their feet.
On Friday last Messrs. G.. II. Nctteton,
Wallace Pratt and II. f. Oldcn arrived in
the city and went quietly TO work on their
plans. Saturda. and Sunday were de-
voted 10 consultations, inspections and
other preliminary work. Yesterday this
had progressed as far as practicable, and
organization was the next step. This
was effected under the laws OF Arkan-
sas. The gentlemen crossed the river TO
West Memphis early in the morning
There they were joined by MeSsrs. j. L.
Smith. William Vance and Jacob Erb, di-
reciorr, OF Arkansas. An election of Of
fcers was held, resulting us follows:
Geor,c II. Nettlcton, president; Charles
Merriam, OF Boston, treasurer; j. :. Ford,
Of Kansas CITY, secretary. Thus equipped
the meeting adjourned, and the first
named gentlemen returned 10 the city on
the Kansas City transfer steamer Charles
Merriam, reaching the incline at 430
O'Clock p. m.
An ArPEAL reporter, baifiled in his eff
forts 10 corner the party in Memphis, Wis
tied her promising young namesake in the
afternoon, found the objects Of his search
aboard the steamer aud returned with
them. There was no hesitation on the
part Of Gen. Ncttleton and his associates
10 tell how matters stood. eve have held
our meeting" said he, elected officers
and the next step will he to move against
Congress for the privilege. Tho location
las been practically determined upon,
and II The entire river banks had been in
spec,ed Tor thispurpose better one could
not have been found"
"Do you anticipate any trouble in secur-
ing the privilege from Congress-
'Sfhat ] can hardly answer with any de-
gree OF pogitivencss. There is q charter in
lnN la N
10 Dc drcadcd. | also understand that
there are some defects which may prove
fatal 10 opposition by friends Of the hold.
ems, but do not know how that IL. What
we want, and what Memphis wants, Is the
bridge. This II sure Ia be built, and II
providence and Congress are friendly, we
propose 10 do the work without any un-
necessary delay"
"Do you think the bridge will prove n
gold mine to the parties inlcrcstclY'
'Io Memphis, yes; to the stock holders,
merely an ordinary investment There is
not q bridge in the country which pays
NOR than per cent. on the capital stock,
II properly conducted and toll charges arc
equitably regulated. We want II simply
n business institution, something which
the rnilfoad interests demand. Just 20
show you the urgency Of this cslsc, allow
me point out one instance where q very
heavy blockade now in existence would
have been obviated. During the forest
fires in Arkansas few weeks ago a
mile Of trestling OF the Kansas City road
was burned. Freight trains accumulated
there in great numbers The trestle
was repaired, the trains came on
through, but where are ihoy2 All the
switches in West Memphis are filled with
ssrS, M are also the tracks Of the Bald
Knob road. The transfer steamer IL kept
running almost continually, but II looks as
II the accumulation will never be cleared.
IL o bridge were in existence all this
freight could have been landed in the
yards OF Memphis in less than twenty-ioui
hours"
"will your company build, own and
control the bridge In itselfl'
III no one else cares 10 come in; but
that Is one thing we want distinctly un
dorstood: Every railroad centcring In
Memphis Ia cordially invited TO come int
the organization, share the expense Will
. us and also share the control and manage
ment as joint and equal shareholders
Further than this, we will be delighted :,
have outsiders come in. II In no exclusiy,
concern, from which every one not con
necied with the road is barred"